Finally fixed

It was a while ago that I found this vintage beauty in an op shop.

She has been sitting in the garage for far too long,

after all our numerous house moves..

Last week I had my Pfaff machine serviced 

and decided to take this girl in when I picked the other one up!

There were a few things that needed fixing, and were missing -

like the drive belt, tension etc as it hadn't been used for a very very long time.

The one thing they couldn't fix was the light.

But what had stumped them was my request to be able to do free motion sewing on it.

They couldn't find a foot to suit, but eventually they found a Pfaff (!) foot 

that they bent to fit.. not that you could tell to look at it. 

You can't drop the feed dogs, so it is set at 0 stitch length and works fine!

And you wouldn't believe it, but it cost less to fix this vintage beauty

than it cost to service my 2 year old Pfaff! Amazing.

I can't believe I didn't get her seen to sooner, 

I still have to be careful though. I was warned not to go too fast or too slow

with the free motion business. But I think she has a lot of use left in her.

She is so heavy - surprisingly so. Which is why I bought her in the first place.

Love!x

Petals and leaves

{the behind of a neckpiece being put together}

I'm working on some brooches and neckpieces for the shop.

There are a few brooches already there, and will hopefully 

put up a few neckpieces by the end of the weekend!

I've also started a neckpiece by painting the free motion flowers myself

with fabric paint. So we'll see how that turns out!xx

Op Shop Find

Sometimes it pays to have a quick look into an oppy when you're passing.

On the way back from the library yesterday, I dashed in to the Sallies op shop,

 leaving the rest of the family in the (air con) car. 

And ended up lugging this very heavy vintage Singer out with me!

The table folds up so that it fits inside its carry case.

As you can tell, I haven't even given it a wipe over yet.

Must do some research into getting some bobbins

and maybe an instruction book too!x

more flea market finds here

My Creative Space - literally

This is the first place we've lived in, 

where I have my own room for sewing!

Its the spare bedroom at the front of the house.

I've given it a much needed tidy to show you today.

You've seen these fabric shelves before.

But now its spread into the wardrobe too!

I flick between these machines. 

I love having the two now - as it saves time on changing threads and feet!

The much needed touch lamp is an oppy find ($8)!xx

More creative spaces here.

Squares

Granny squares!

This FANTASTIC fabric is by Cam ( Ms Curlypops )

We just had to make something straight away, as soon as this fabric arrived!

So the girls chose their favourite colour combos

 from the granny square collection.

Miss E stitched some brooch backings to some felt.

And carefully sewed the granny squares to another piece of felt.

Then fabric glued the two together

 to make each of us a fabulous Go Granny brooch!

Of course Miss G chose purple and orange - her faves,

and here she wears her brooch at an angle! Love it!

If you would like your own Go Granny fabric - pop over to Cam's shop here!

Items made from Cam's fabric can be seen in the flickr group here.

** Also - please read this post - Cam is on the lung transplant wait list -

and needs our help after receiving some disappointing news. **

Thank you.xx

A winner and an afternoon tea

Just popped in to let you know the winner of my little giveaway!

Random Org has decided that number 6 is it!

So I think that means that the purple Pfaff is (nearly) on its way to

Bec !!!

(let me know your address Bec and I'll get it sent off asap!)x

Whilst I was sorting out the winner - this girl has been having a spot of afternoon tea, crocheting (with a friend) and waiting for some more peeps to buy raffle tickets to win her!!  By donating $5 to the Cancer Councils Big Morning Tea, you could win her or two other gorgeous handmade toys! Take a look over here for all the details. You only have till saturday!

This is a great way to donate, as you are raising money and have the chance to win a handmade too!xx



a little giveaway...

So, you might know that I got a Pfaff sewing machine recently.

Well - there was a little free-be that came along with it!

(but very weirdly, its not sewing related)

Its a speaker system with a docking station for an iPod or iPhone.

It comes with a remote control and AC adaptor.

And measures 25cm x 12cm.

As I don't have an iPhone, I want to give this away!!

If you would like to win this (and live in Australia), just leave a comment by Monday 13 June. 10pm(EST) And i'll draw a winner the next day.

Here it is with my phone pretending to be an iPhone!

Thats it - sorry its not a creating related giveaway!xx

(note: this is not endorsed by Pfaff )

psst...look what i got for my b'day!

A very sturdy sewing machine.

Pfaff, a brand thats been around for a long time. In some ways its actually more basic than my Brother (i don't mean you Ant!) But it can handle alot more sewing, has a dual feed system - where the fabric is fed from the top and the bottom. And can sew through alot more layers/thick fabric! Its the sort of machine that will last a really really long time (and you should hear it when you put your foot down)!

So I've gone from this, on my other machine.

To this attachment on the new Pfaff.

Scary looking aren't they?!

Contemplating My Creative Space

Thinking about turning these teatowels that I've had forever, into aprons for another birthday party.

Making something to keep the little ones Leapster cartridges in hand. (aaargh - and a library bag as we can't seem to find her school one!)

Wondering what to make for a swap coming up.

And thinking about the machines I've been testing out (dropping the feed dog of course).

Now I'm off to Kirsty's to see some blogs that have some making going on!

Pfaff vs Janome

I need to make a decision about a new machine - which is not an easy thing! I have changed my mind countless times now. Its getting rediculous. I've been in and tested out a couple, but that just made it even more difficult! (theres some good deals on at the mo)

So what do you think about Pfaff sewing machines? I've been told they are the 'Rolls Royce' of machines - hard working, sturdy... They also have IDT integrated in the sewing machine, for no fabric slippage. No matter how many layers or what type of fabrics you are sewing. Its fed from both the top and bottom at the same time.

But then Janome are such a well known brand too. They are one of the top sellers in this country. They've been around for nearly a hundred years. And have such a good reputation.

I know its such a personal thing and it depends what sort of thing you are sewing,

but do you have an opinion on either of these brands?